Kennelly poised to stay in Australia

KERRY star Tadgh Kennelly is poised to extend his stay in Australia for another three years, denting hopes of an imminent return to the Kingdom.

The Sydney Swans are currently finalising a three-year contract that will keep Kennelly down under until 2006, but the Listowel ace still hankers for the green and gold. “I think I could be playing (with Kerry),” Kennelly said yesterday. “But I’ve fitted right in here. I feel like it’s my home now.”

Kennelly, who was controversially excluded from Kerry’s All Ireland final panel last September admitted yesterday he has had problems acclimatising to the rough and tumble of Aussie Rules.

“Being a tough guy, it’s there in everyone in Australia and you’ve just got to find it,” he said.

“It’s not part of gaelic football and it’s something that I’ve worked on. For the boys here it is a natural thing, just to throw yourself in there and get the football. I’m inclined to stay on my feet as much as possible.

“I’m getting there. I’m not afraid any more to throw myself in front of a pack coming behind. All it is confidence. You’re not going to get hurt if you do it, you might get a knock, and you can shake it off.”

Kennelly has added another four kilograms since the pre-season. All up, he thinks he’s gained around 15kg since he landed with the Swans at pre-season training in 1999.

Added Sydney coach Paul Roos: “He’s improved a lot in that area. Coming from a game where you are not allowed to tackle, he’s done well. I still think he’s got a way to go but there’s been vast improvement”

Kennelly is currently spending most of his time on the field as a half-back flanker. “I still have positions to try out,” he says. “And the coaches still don’t know where I’ll end up. If I’m playing good football at half-back, why move me?” he said.